Top 16 Things to Do and See in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City is a city in Vietnam. It is situated in the southern coast of the city where river Saigon opens to East Vietnam Sea. The city was previously known as Saigon, after the river. In 1946, it was renamed as Ho Chi Minh City, after Ho Chi Minh, the first leader of North Vietnam. Some people and organizations are still use the old name and you should not be confused by this when you visit Ho Chi Minh City. Many people also refer to it as HCMC. The history of the city can be traced back to 4th century to a Funan Temple. One of the top places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City is a Buddhist temple named Phung Son. It stands where the 4th century temple was established.
The city was ruled by several Vietnamese powers until it fell under French Colonial rule in 1859. The independence movement led to declaration of Republic of Vietnam in 1956. It is today the largest city in the country. Among top things to do in Ho Chi Minh City is exploring historical buildings, temples, museums, cultural places, nature exploration, boat cruises, beaches, islands, shopping and street food.
The historical aspect of Ho Chi Minh City sightseeing is divided into palaces built under French and Vietnamese rulers; Temples of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucius faiths; Cathedrals built under French colonization and places showcasing war remnants in the region. The city opens into a river delta, so you have wonderful beaches and islands to explore among Ho Chi Minh City tourist attractions. You can also get speedboat tours as well as several types of cruises from the city. There are wonderful things to see in Ho Chi Minh City forests for those who enjoy outdoor exploration. You can explore the wilderness by yourself along hike trails or book a guided tour from the city.
The city has a wonderful culture to explore as well in terms of handicraft items, street food, dance, music, stories and so on. You will get to learn more about it as you explore Ho Chi Minh City tourist spots like cultural centers, markets and temples.
Table of Contents
The Best 16 Tourist Places to Visit in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in 3 Days (Trip Itinerary)
Day 1
1. Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon
Also known as the Saigon Basilica of Lady of the Immaculate Conception is one of the most culturally significant places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City. It was built in 1880 by French colonists. You will need an hour to explore this church.
2. Saigon Central Post Office
Built in 1891 under colonization of French, this building is one of the nicest looking Ho Chi Minh City tourist attractions. This building is known for its blend of Gothic, Renaissance and French classical architecture. You will need about half an hour or so to explore it.
3. Ho Chi Minh City Opera House
This opera house was built by 1898 and was designed by Eugene Ferret. You will need to attend a show to see the interiors of this place. Among top things to do in Ho Chi Minh City is the AO Show of Saigon. It is a performance of traditional Vietnamese dance and music combined with Cirque du Soleil style of performance. You will need about an hour for this place.
4. Ho Chi Minh Square
The central square of the city is surrounded by Ho Chi Minh City attractions. You will find historical buildings, shopping stores and some of the most fun streets branching from this square. You would need 20 to 30 minutes for this place.
5. Ho Chi Minh City Museum
The museum is dedicated to the history of the city and that of the country’s revolution for independence. The building housing this museum is the Gia Long Palace, a 1890 French colonial palace. The architecture of the building and the museum within are some of the most interesting things to see in Ho Chi Minh City. You will need about 2 hours to explore this museum.
6. Reunification Palace (Independence Palace)
This palace has been the venue for several historical events in the country. The history of this palace goes back to 1858 and includes the story of French invasion, colonization and the revolution for independence. The palace was rebuilt in 1966. You will need about 2 hours to explore this palace during Ho Chi Minh City travel.
7. War Remnants Museum
The museum is dedicated to the Vietnam War and the first Indochina War. The exhibits include photographs, war memorabilia, weapons, war vehicles, documents and so on. It will take 2 hours from Ho Chi Minh City sightseeing to explore this museum.
Day 2
1. Cu Chi Tunnels
This network of underground tunnels were used by the Viet Cong during the 1960s. These tunnels spread over 40 kms and cover a wide area. They are among the most interesting things to see in Ho Chi Minh City. It will take you about 2 hours to explore these tunnels.
2. Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts
This fine arts museum exhibits historically and culturally significant works of art which originated from Vietnam. The museum is spread across 3 colonial buildings and would require 2 hours of time to explore when you visit Ho Chi Minh City.
3. Bitexco Financial Tower – Saigon Skydeck
This tower is primarily visited for the great view of the city from its observation deck. Take 20 to 30 minutes from Ho Chi Minh City travel to admire the skyline from this tower.
4. Ben Thanh Market
Shopping is among the most popular things to do in Saigon and this central is one of the best places in the city for it. The market constitutes of more than 3 thousand vendors and you can get all sorts of items here ranging from produce to textile. You will need at least 2 hours to explore this market.
Day 3
1. Vietnam History Museum
This museum is dedicated to the history of the country and delves deep into the evolution of the nations culture. It is among Ho Chi Minh tourist spots which helps you understand the place and the people better. You will need about 2 hours for this museum.
2. Jade Emperor Pagoda
This taoist temple was built in 1909. The ornate palace is one of the beautiful Ho Chi Minh landmarks. It is one of the 5 most important taoists shrines in the city and will require an hour to be explored.
3. Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine (Fito Museums)
One of the most fascinating places to see in Ho Chi Minh City is this museum which exhibits methods and medicines from traditional Vietnamese medical system. The museum exhibits over 3,000 varieties of medicines and requires at least an hour to explore.
4. Giac Lam Pagoda
This temple was built in 1744 and is the oldest pagoda in the city. Its stupa is still the highest one in Ho Chi Minh City. If you are there during the Lunar New Year, do not miss out on the festivities at this temple. This large temple will require an hour of your time from Ho Chi Minh City travel.
5. Ba Thien Hau Temple
This temple is dedicated to Goddess of the Sea known as Thien Hau. It was built by a cantonese congregation to thank the goddess for safe journey. You will need an hour to explore this temple.
If you are looking for more top things to do in hcmc, then check out the section below. We have put together a long list of numerous attractions and activities Ho Chi Minh City for you to enjoy.
Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Ho Chi Minh City
- Cu Chi Tunnel
- War Remnants Museum
- Notre Dame Cathedral
- Saigon Central Post Office
- Ho Chi Minh City Opera House
- Jade Emperor Pagoda
- Ho Chi Minh City Museum
- Suoi Tien Theme Park
- Ba Thien Hau Temple
- People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City
- Vietnam History Museum
- Tan Dinh Church
- Giac Lam Pagoda
- Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts
- Vinh Nghiem Pagoda
- Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine
- Nha Rong Port – Ho Chi Minh Museum
- Artinues 3D Art Museum
- The Factory of Contemporary Arts
- Galerie Quynh
- Buu Long Pagoda
- South Vietnamese Women Museum
- Quan Am Pagoda
- Xa Loi Pagoda
- Ao Dai Museum
- Ton Duc Thang Museum
- Cu Chi Tunnel in Ben Duoc
- Ho Chi Minh Statue
- Ben Duoc Temple
- St. Francis Xavier Church
- Craig Thomas Gallery
- Thich Quang Duc Monument
- Teochew Guan Yu Temple
- Ho Chi Minh Campaign Museum
- Hoi Khanh Pagoda
- Chau Thoi Pagoda
- Huyen Si Church
- Phuoc Loc Tho Ancient Village
- Ong Bon Pagoda – Nhi Phu Temple
- Hoang Phap Pagoda
- Khanh An Monastery
- Southern Armed Forces Museum
- Temple Goddess Mariamma
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Ho Chi Minh City
- Monkey Island
- Phu an Bamboo Village
- Rung Sac Can Gio
- Du Lich Dai Khi Can Gio
- Nui Chau Thoi Mountain
- Ho Ban Nguyet Lake
Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Ho Chi Minh City
- Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden
- Dam Sen Amusement Park
- Dam Sen Water Park
- Dai Nam Wonderland
- Buu Long Tourist Area
- Thuy Chau Ecotourism
- The World of Heineken
- Dai Nam Zoo
- Cong Vien Le Thi Rieng Amusement Park
- 7 Wonders Park
Shopping in Ho Chi Minh City
- Ben Thanh Market
- Bui Vien Street
- Saigon Skydeck
- Tao Dan Park
- An Dong Market
- Diamond Plaza
- Ho Thi Ky Market
- Vincom Center
- Tan Dinh Market
- Parkson Plaza
- Ba Chieu Market
- Saigon Square
- Bin Tay Market
Beaches in Ho Chi Minh City
- Bai Bien Can Gio Beach
- Diamond Island
- Dao Thanh An Beach
- April 30 Beach
Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure in Ho Chi Minh City
- Hiking
- Camping
- Boat Cruise
- Scuba Diving
- Island Hoping
- Trekking
- Bicycle Tours
Sightseeing in Ho Chi Minh City
- Biu Vien Street
- Backpacker Street
- Nguyen Hue Walking Street
- Nguyen Hue Promenade
- September 23 Garden
- Bui Vien Walking Street
- Book Street
- Rin Rin Park
- Ho Thi Ky Flower Market
- Duong Le Loi
- Hoang Van Thu Park
- Gia Dinh Park
- Nguyen Trai Street
- Focaso Park
- Cau Mong
- Cong Vien Vinhomes Central Park
Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Ho Chi Minh City
- Le Corto
- Shri Restaurant
- King Kebab
- Skewers
- Bun Cha
- Cuc Gach Quan
- Hum Vegetarian Cafe
- Secret Garden
- Li Bai
- Secret House
- Nonla Guys
- Mountain Retret
- El Guacho Argentinian Steakhouse
- Anan Saigon
How to Reach Ho Chi Minh City?
By Air
The fastest option for Ho Chi Minh City travel is Tan Son Nhat International Airport. You can get direct flights from Moscow, Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Busan, Beijing, Paris, Tokyo, Seoul, Phnom Penh, Hong Kong, Manila, Taipei, Guwahati, Helsinki, Dubai, Kolkata, Melbourne, Singapore, Warsaw, Bangkok, Doha, Istanbul, Delhi, Mumbai, Osaka, Phuket, London, Sydney, San Francisco, and more. The airport caters to both domestic and international flights.
You can get buses and cars from the airport to reach numerous destinations within the city. You can also get rental cars from the airport itself.
By Road
The bus and train services are operational within the country. Tickets for either can be booked online or at their respective stations. If you are planning to use rental cars or drive yourself to visit Ho Chi Minh City, you should head for routes CT01, QL22, QL50, or QLA1.
By Water
You can get to Ho Chi Minh City via cruise tours. There are also a few speedboat services which take you between several coastal destinations in and around the city.
Image Reference
- Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon – xiquinhosilva / Flickr
- Saigon Central Post Office – xiquinhosilva / Flickr
- Ho Chi Minh City Opera House – Kirk Siang / Flickr
- Ho Chi Minh Square – bvi4092 / Flickr
- Ho Chi Minh City Museum – -JvL- / Flickr
- Reunification Palace (Independence Palace) – Rob White / Flickr
- War Remnants Museum – Geof Wilson / Flickr
- Cu Chi Tunnels – shankar s. / Flickr
- Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts – Marufish / Flickr
- Bitexco Financial Tower – Saigon Skydeck – manhhai / Flickr
- Ben Thanh Market – Chelsea Marie Hicks / Flickr
- Vietnam History Museum – Terry Feuerborn / Flickr
- Jade Emperor Pagoda – junkii / Flickr
- Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine (Fito Museums) – Anthony Tong Lee / Flickr
- Giac Lam Pagoda – Gary Todd / Flickr
- Ba Thien Hau Temple – Allan Watt / Flickr
